Overview

• The UK’s Electronic Travel Authority policy bars travelers with yearlong prison sentences, causing veteran caddie Eric Larson to be denied entry over his decade-old drug conviction.
• Larson’s long-running partnership with Harris English was halted after his ETA application was rejected despite backing from English, legal advisers, The R&A and the US ambassador to the UK.
• With Larson unable to travel, English is competing at Royal Portrush with his putting coach Ramon Bescansa as caddie while Larson follows The Open from the United States.
• English previously enlisted Joe Etter for the Genesis Scottish Open after Larson faced the same visa denial under the revised ETA rules.
• The incident underscores tensions between immigration enforcement and the principle of rehabilitation for professionals with prior convictions.